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THE NIMANGKI socrarv 313
and its allied grades from those higher up in the scale and from
the two intermediate ones, Naaml and Neten Mwelip.
Naamel.
Of these two grades, it is probable, as we have seen, that
Neten Mwelip belongs to the same group as Nevelvel and Nimweil,
for all that it is so much lower dovm the list than these. The
relation of N aamcl to the other Nimangki grades is much more
difficult to determine, for although the erection of a small monolith
would seem to link it with Nwet, it is in other aspects of its ritual
quite distinct from this.
In preparation for this grade three decorated screens called
sesmandur are made of barnboos and coco-nut fronds, and are
hung up outside, on the front of the men’s club-house (amel),
one over the door, and one on either side of this. Two posts
(nesu) of tortor wood are then cut and thrust through the front
wall of the amal so that they project and a face is carved at the
top of the front centre post of the building. This face is painted
red and the whole house is then made gay with red mbwing-
mbwingamb leaves. On some later date a small stone is erected
outside the nmel. This is called nevet nambar, but it is much
_smaller than the monolith of the same name which is set up at
entrance to the higher grades such as the Nimamgki Newt Nambar.
For each of these objects the candidate pays one pig as usual :
one for the three sesmandur; one for the new posts; one for
the face carved on the centre post and one for the navel nambar.
The evening following the completion of and payment for these
preparations, M'St4Wl¢Md61I/ is sounded on the gangs, and the
next day the visitors arrive to dance tour. The usual sequence
of rites now follows, but on this occasion the pig’s tusk bracelet
and mvaiim must are not wrapped up in any leaves, and the
candidate puts his wrist against the navel number. At night time
mu is danced, but apparently the performance of the torch dance
is omitted. Next morning the candidate retires into the bush
and then, to the accompaniment of the rhythm naai mzamel, he
dances on to the ground carrying a spear. The introducer,
holding a spray of croton, goes to meet him. A pig is now killed
for food, and after the men have ï¬Ånished eating. the " hawk
dance " is performed by one of the seniors, who on this occasion